A wishful, prosperous and happy Dhanteras is made from celebrations with a pooja vidhi ritual and custom pooja items. Let’s explore.
Of course, you are aware that Dhanteras is puja for good health, wealth and overall well-being. The festival of Dhanteras arrives during the 5- day celebration time of Diwali. Actually, Dhanteras marks the beginning of Deepawali – the festival of lights. As per the Hindu Lunar calendar, the pooja mahurat on the 13th day of Ashvin.
Dhanteras festival
Legends believe that on the day of Dhanteras, Maa Lakshmi emerged out of the milky ocean during the churning of the sea. Most significantly, another legend states that on Dhanteras, Lord Dhanvantari emerged from the sea with Amrit during the churning. For good health, it is auspicious to offer prayers to the Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishu.
People mostly perform Dhanteras puja in the evening between 6 pm to 8 pm. They light up their houses with Diwali lights and offer various sweets dishes to Goddess Lakshmi. Some people also keep a day-long fast on Dhanteras.
Dhanteras Puja Vidhi
Dhanteras puja vidhi is performed through the entire day with various rituals and pooja.
– In the morning, people put Dhanteras rangolis at their doorway to welcome Maa Lakshmi
– During the day, it is a custom to buy new things on Dhanteras. Buy valuables like gold or silver coins, jewellery to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. You can also purchase metal kitchen utensils; it symbolises good luck and good fortune.
– Before sunset, decorate your home to seek good health from Lord Dhanvantari. It is custom to etch tiny footprints with rice flour or vermillion to please Goddess Lakshmi
– Towards the evening, Diyas are lit at the entrance of the homes to symbolise the arrival of the deity
– At evening, the lady of the house performs a Lakshmi puja. Praises and worship songs are also sung to allure the Goddess. The family comes together to celebrate the puja and pray for wealth from Goddess Lakshmi, prosperity from Lord Ganesha.
Pooja items for a Hindu festival
Festivals are a time to rejoice, but it also brings in a whole lot of customs, rituals and decoration items. Sometimes, it gets challenging to choose one over the other. Now, celebrations are not for getting stressed about what’s right or wrong. It’s about carrying forward the tradition or the pooja vidhi with love and devotion. So, to simplify your pooja items and decor worries, we put together a list of pooja items to keep you and your home celebration ready, always. Take notes of these must-have items.
Rangoli
Rangoli is one of the ancient and most colourful art forms of India. You can make patterns of flowers, Kalash or peacock. The doorway will be more welcoming and inviting. Draw footprints of Lakshmi to honour her arrival. You can use rice or vermilion powder for drawing the prints.
Discover Rangoli Designs with Flowers
Kalash
Kalash is of utmost importance and holds great importance in Indian festivals. Place it before starting the puja. Hindu rituals suggest placing the Kalash on a raised platform. The platform is covered in a new piece of cloth. Next, grains are spread around the Kalash. Fill the Kalash with water, a coin and flowers. Decorate with mango leaves around the Kalash.
Pooja Thali
Puja thali is a must. It can be of any metal such as brass, bronze, silver or even gold. Use a different shaped thali to add a twist to your decor: place flowers, incense sticks, Prasad, Diya, Kumkum in the thali. Place the money and offer it to the Deity.
Explore Decorative Pooja Thalis for home
Diyas
Lighting diyas signifies the dispelling of darkness and evil forces. It also represents the light of knowledge, wisdom, hope, and happiness. Light the Diya lamps in the evening keep them burning throughout the night. The light of diyas is a welcoming invitation for the holy presence to enter and reside at your home.
Most festival poojas, like the Dhanteras pooja, is a celebration to welcome the auspicious vibes into our homes and our life. Today, I wish for you that every pooja vidhi brings you closer to a wholesome spiritual experience. Now, you have a list of check-points, so no worries about the hows and what of pooja items. With the coming of a Hindu festival, wear new clothes, have a sweet treat and indulge in the joy of celebration. Happy Dhanteras! Happy festive times!!